When my partner and I separated, he moved out of our two-bedroom apartment. Surprisingly, our breakup was brief—just three weeks later, we reconciled. However, by then, he had secured a one-bedroom place and couldn’t return to our old apartment.
I found myself unable to afford the rent on my own, so I began searching for a more affordable living situation. I didn’t want to squeeze myself and my child into my boyfriend’s new one-bedroom, and I thought some space would benefit our relationship.
One Sunday afternoon while visiting my boyfriend, I noticed the door to the apartment next door was ajar. It was a quaint four-unit building with a cheerful yellow brick exterior and a well-kept lawn.
Curious, I walked into the entryway and found a man in his late thirties named Mark, who was overseeing some work being done on the floors of the bottom unit. He was the property owner and confirmed that the vacant apartment was available. We chatted about my situation—recently divorced, a young child, and living next door to my boyfriend. Mark was friendly and answered all my questions, sharing that he had children of his own and owned several properties around town.
He seemed genuinely pleased to meet a potential new tenant and handed me an application. I filled it out and returned it before he left for the day. It felt like a fortunate opportunity.
A Disturbing Proposition
I moved into the new apartment on the first of the next month. The rent was $520 for the one-bedroom—a bit higher than my previous place but reasonable for the neighborhood. I met with Mark again when I settled in to hand over the deposit and received the keys. He left his contact information for rent payments and maintenance requests.
However, a month later, as I prepared to send my rent check, I realized I had misplaced his address. I texted him for the details, and he promptly replied with the information. Then came a second message:
“I’m at the bar down the street having a drink. Want to join?”
It struck me as odd, given that he was aware I had a boyfriend. I brushed it off, reminding myself he might just be looking to unwind after a long day. So, I politely declined, saying I had my child with me that night (he was actually with his dad).
The following message, however, sent shivers down my spine:
“You know, I have an arrangement with one of my other tenants. We get together from time to time. Maybe you and I could work something out?”
Staring at my phone, I was taken aback. I couldn’t believe what I was reading.
“What do you mean?” I texted back, still trying to process this unexpected proposition.
“Like, she does me a favor, and I help her out with rent. You know what I mean. :)”
It was unsettling. I paced my apartment, grappling with the implications of his words. Was he seriously suggesting a sexual favor in exchange for rent?
“You mean, free rent for me if I sleep with you?” I asked, my mind racing.
“Exactly. No pressure, just thought I’d throw it out there. ;)”
Feeling Trapped
I spent what felt like an eternity contemplating my response. I considered shutting off my phone and ignoring him forever. I thought about confronting him, but to whom would I report him? He was his own boss, his own HR department.
For a brief moment, I even considered accepting his offer, fearing the consequences of saying no. After all, he was aware of my financial struggles.
Eventually, I mustered the courage to respond: “No thanks, I’m good. Remember, I have a boyfriend.”
I worked to keep my tone casual, pretending that the whole interaction hadn’t rattled me. Fortunately, I didn’t see Mark often, as he managed multiple properties. Whenever we crossed paths, we acted as if that uncomfortable exchange had never occurred. I completed my lease term without further incident, but the encounter lingered in the back of my mind.
Sadly, not every tenant is as fortunate. Many landlords exploit vulnerable individuals, especially during tough economic times.
Sheryl Ring, legal director at Open Communities, notes, “We’ve seen an increase in sexual harassment since the pandemic began. Landlords are taking advantage of financial hardships to coerce tenants into illegal sex-for-rent agreements.”
If you find yourself in similar distressing circumstances, know that there are resources available. Legal aid services can provide assistance, and you can file a complaint against your landlord with the Department of Housing and Urban Development. For counseling on sexual harassment, reach out to the National Sexual Assault Hotline.
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Summary
The article recounts a personal experience where a landlord, Mark, made an inappropriate proposition to a single mother in exchange for rent. Despite initially being friendly and professional, he crossed a line by suggesting a sexual arrangement. The author ultimately declined the offer, but the incident highlights the vulnerability of individuals in precarious financial situations and the prevalence of sexual harassment from landlords. Resources and support are available for those facing similar situations.